Filler machine



R. M. LEHMAN FILLER MACHINE Dec. 9, 1952 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed Sept. 20, 1951 IN VENTOIB EoeriMLehman z x y- Patented Dec. 9, 1952 UNITED STATES ,ATENT O FF ICE FILLER MACHINE Robert M. Lehman, Altadena, Calif.

Application September 20, 1'951,'Seri'al No. 247,459

separate fiat rectangular units and then each is processed through a series of operations to make the final product. The operations include applicationof filler, folding or rolling the filler-covered product, cutting the rolled product, and finally placing the completed products in pans for baking. Formerly these operations were all performed manually. In an apparatus to perform the operations automatically a frame of two par- .allel longitudinal members spaced by tie rods and supported'by leg members carries a conveyor belt which encircles rollers positioned transversely between the two frame members, the rollers being equipped to take power from a common belt or chain driven by an electric motor. Various superstructures comprising the filling,

folding and cutting units are detachably mounted in spaced relationship along the longitudinal frame membersand over the conveyor belt, being arranged in the order the desired operations are to take place on the pieces of dough. The separate dough pieces are deposited from a hopper, or by other suitable means, on the conveyer belt and successively conveyed to the various units where the filling, folding and cutting operations are performed sequentially. In each case of filling, folding or cutting the respective unit concerned is actuated and performs its function in response .to the passage of the dough piece thereunder on the conveyer belt. A machine of the type described comprising the frame and superstructures just described is disclosed in my copending application. for Bakery Apparatus, Serial No. 735,070. The invention disclosed in the present application comprises a particular filler unit adapted to be embodied in the apparatus disclosed in said prior application.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved apparatus for the application of filler to dough pieces in the making of bakery products.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus for the selective application of filler to separate flat rectangular units of dough passing in succession through the apparatus.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide a fully automatic apparatus for the appli- 2 cation of filler to dough products in which the filler unit is actuated and performs its function in response to the passage-of dough units through the apparatus.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a filler uni-t for applying filler to dough units prior to baking in which the area of application of the filler to the-surface of the dough can be selectively controlled.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a filler unit for applying filler to dough units by which the filler may be applied to the dough and spaced at predetermined distances from its marginal edges.

'These and other more specific objects will appear upon reading the following specification and claim and upon considering in connection therewith the attached drawings to which they relate.

Referring now to the drawings in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated:

Figure 1 is a side view of an embodiment of the apparatus constructed in. accordance with the present invention partially cut away to show the dough-actuated control;

Figure 2 is a top view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1, the hopper being shown in section upon the line 22 of that figure;

Figure 3 is ail-electrical wiring diagram of the electric circuit utilized in the filler apparatus;

Figure 4 is a vertical transverse section of the apparatus taken on line 5- 3 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a partial sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Figure 4 and shows the filler-retaining flaps in their sealing relationship to the roller and the flap-actuating finger in its normal inoperative position;

Figure 6 is. a partialsectional View taken at the same .point as Figure 5 but showing the feeding flap and one of its actuating fingers positioned to direct filler tothe passing dough unit;

Figure 7 is a detail view of the roller and its stripper wire; and

Figure '8 is a sectional View upon the line 3-45 of Figure '7 and shows the line of contact of the stripper'wire and the roller.

Referring again to the drawings, and to Figures 1 and -2 in particular, the apparatus constructed in accordance with the present inventionis illustrated and is seen to comprise the following generally indicated parts: a frame ll upon which is mounted a filler dispenser unit I2, an applicator orroller |3which may be viewed as a functional part of unit l2, an actuator assembly i l adapted to position the filler flow-controlling means of dispenser l2, and a control assembly I3 responsive to the passage of dough units relative to the filler apparatus to energize and die-energize assembly 4. Assemblies I4 and 55 may, if desired, be viewed as parts of a control unit effective to position the flow-controlling means of the dispenser unit.

The frame II is seen to comprise two spaced side casings IT and I8 rigidly retained in spaced parallel relationship by transverse tie rods I9 and El connecting their opposite ends. The casings I l and I 3 are adapted to rest upon the spaced parallel frame members 22 and 23 of a bakery apparatus of the type disclosed in my application Serial No. 735,070. Small pins 24 are rigidly afi'ixed to the bottom of casings I! and I8 at one end thereof and extend downwardly to fit in positioning seats 24a in the upper surface of frame members 22 and 23. To raise and lower the opposite ends of the casings I1 and I8 there is provided an elevating device comprising a transverse shaft 2% extending through supporting brackets 2i and 28 mounted in the inside walls of casings and carrying supporting cams 2t and SI resting directly on frame members 22 and 23. By rotating shaft 26, and so connecting cams 29 and 3|, the end of the filler unit, and the adjacent roller I3, are raised or lowered as points of greater or lesser radius on the periphery of the cams are brought into contact with the frame members.

Rotation of the shaft 26 is accomplished manually by means of a gear 32 mounted on shaft 25 and an engaging worm 33 rigidly mounted on the lower end of a rotatable vertical shaft 34 housed in a fixed vertical sleeve 36. The threaded upper end of sleeve 38 is reduced and projects through a hole 3! in the top wall of easing I8. A nut 38 threaded onto the upper end of sleeve 36 clamps it against the casing wall. Shaft 34 extends upwardly through the sleeve and its projecting upper end carries an exteriorly knurled knob 33. Rotation of knob 39 turns shaft 34 and worm 33 whereupon gear 32 rotates and with it, shaft 23 carrying the cams Z3 and 3 I Turning now to roller I3, and to Figure 2 in particular, it is seen that the filler unit receives its driving force from the power transmission chain 43 of the bakery apparatus extended parallel to and below the frame member 23. The links of chain 43 engage the teeth of one head of a double-headed sprocket 42 rotatably mounted on a shaft ll and supported within and extended horizontally at the forward end of easing IT. The other head of double sprocket 42 is aligned with a spaced sprocket l3 mounted on a transverse shaft ll and is connected to it by a chain 44. Shaft 47 extends across the unit between the easings I! and I8 and is rotatably mounted in suitable brackets 43 and '39 mounted on the inside walls of the casings. The filler applying roller I3 is carried by shaft 4'! between casings I! and I8 and rotates with it to apply filler to the dough units passing below it on the conveyer belt 20.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, it is seen that roller I3 is positioned below a hopper of filler dispenser unit I2 in spaced relationship to, and extended transversely of, conveyer belt 29. Filler hopper or container 5i may be fabricated of small gauge metal and includes side walls 53, the upper portions of which slope downwardly and inwardly and lower portions of which extend in parallel planes, and end walls 56 which slope downwardly and inwardly for their full height. The lower open end of the hopper, which may be referred to as its mouth, is indicated by the refer ence character 52. At the mouth the extremities of the opposing side walls 53 are arcuately shaped at 54 to conform with the cylindrical roller I3 and to form a fluid-tight joint. The straight lower edges of the end walls 53 are spaced somewhat from the roller I3 and carry longitudinal sealing flaps 51 and 58 of resilient material which extend downwardly below the walls and then inwardly toward each other in overlying relationship to the roller end wall. The flaps slide on roller I3 as it is rotated and each forms a normally closed gate cooperating with roller I3 to close aperture 52.

Filler container 5! is supported on casings I1 and I3 by means including side flanges or brackets BI. The latter are generally rectangular and each carries at each of its outer ends the threaded shanks of a supporting pin 63 provided in each instance with a lock nut 64 by which it may be locked in fixed adjustment with respect to the plate. The pins 63 extend downwardly from plate BI and each is formed near its lower end with a flange or shoulder 66 which rests on the top wall of the underlying casing I! or I8 while the lower extremity of the pins at at least one end of the plate 6| extends into a positioning aperture seat 69 in the same top wall. The securing bolts 68 on the opposite sides of hopper 5| carry knurled knobs II and extend downwardly through plate 6| to seat threadedly in nuts 12 fixed to the undersides of the top wall of casings I! and I8. In their fully threaded position securing bolts 68 clamp plate 6| to casings I1 and I8 at a height determined by the adjustment of spacing pins 63.

Referring now to the dispenser actuating assembly It, it is to be noted that filler is released from container 5| of dispenser IE to roller I3 by displacing the free edge of flexible resilient flap 57 from its sliding contact with the roller to permit the filler to travel under the flap with the moving surface of the roller and so be carried to the dough piece traveling thereunder. Displacement of flap 5'! is accomplished by the pivotal movement of a plurality of flap-contacting fingers M which, together with their supporting rotatable shaft ll and its solenoid-operated actuating lever 8 I, comprise the dispenser-actuating assembly I4. Rotatable shaft ll extends transversely between two supporting brackets is and I9 mounted on the inner side walls of casings I! and I8, respectively, and the plurality of fingers I4 are fixed to it by wing headed set screws 76 at spaced intervals between those brackets. At its end within casing I8 shaft ll extends through bracket 19 and fixedly carries the center of an L-shaped lever B! which has two arms. One of those arms is bifurcated at its free end to form a bracket 82 slidingly straddling a stem 34 pivotally connected at its lower end of the displaceable armature core 89 of an electric solenoid 88. The other arm of lever BI is connected to a coil spring 87 the other end of which is fixed to the casing of solenoid 88. A second coil spring 83 encircles stem 84 between the bifurcated end 82 of the lever BI and the upper end of armature 89 to force the lever against the lower end of knob 85 threadedly seated on the upper end of the stem where it projects through the top wall of casing I8. The upper end of knob 33 is enlarged to prevent its displacement through the top wall of casing I8. As the knob moves with the solenoid armature and stem 8%, its position on the stem determines the extent of downward displacement by the contact of the underside of its head with the top of the casing. When solenoid 88 is energized its core 89 and connected stem 84 travel downwardly pivoting lever 8| counterclockwise, .as viewed in Figure l, against the tension of spring'B'I. This pivotal movement of lever 8| rotates shaft 71 and attached fingers 14, the latter displacing flap 51 from its closed position shown in Figure 5 to its open position shown in Figure 6. To vary the extent of arcuate displacement of flap 5? which takes place upon the energization of coil 88 knob 86 may be threaded upwardly or downwardly on stem 84 to vary the angular position of L-shaped lever 8i Referring now to the controller assembly I6 which actuates dispenser control assembly I4 through controlling the energization of solenoid '88, it is seen that the latter is energized by the closure of two normally open microswitches 9| and 92 which are connected in series with solenoid 88 between line 93, 9 1, as shown diagrammatically in Figure 3. Each microswitch has a supporting bracket 98 pivotally mounted at one of its ends to the inner wall of the casin I8 and supported at the other of its ends by a threaded headed bolt 99 extended downwardly through the top wall of the casing and threaded into a seat 98 in the bracket. A coil spring If?! encircling each bolt 99 between the casing top wall and the bracket 96 forces the latter downwardly from the casing top wall as far as permitted by the adjustment of the bolt. Each of the microswitches includes a spring-loaded downwardly extending detent I83 positioned as to be contacted by its operating lever I85 or Illa. Levers IM and I86 are mounted for pivotal movement with shafts I82 and Iiil, respectively, each of which extends transversely between casings I1 and i8 and is rotatably mounted therein. Each shaft carries one or more actuating fingers H0, as illustrated in Figure 2, connected to the shafts by means of connectors or brackets I I2 each of which includes an adjustable set screw H4 by which the length of the actuating fingers can be adjusted. The ends of fingers IIO are bent at right angles to form a stub axle for a roller II! which normally contacts the conveyer belt H9 positioned therebelow in the manner disclosed in my application Serial No. 735,010. When a flat unit of dough is on conveyer belt IIQ it is carried under a roller I I7, the latter being displaced upwardly to ride on the surface of the dough effecting the pivoting of the connested finger H0. The dough pieces first contact the roller II'I connected by an arm MB to shaft I82 and then the roller similarly connected to shaft I01. This pivotal movement of the finger rotates shafts Hi2 and Ill! in a counterclockwise direction, pivoting levers IEld andllls away from their contacting positions with the spring-loaded detents I83 of microswitches 9! and 92. The normally open microswitches thereupon close. Upon the closing of both switches 92 and SI solenoid 88 is energized and lever 8i and its attached shaft 'II pivoted in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figure 2. Upon shaft 11 pivoting counterclockwise the dispensing fingers 74 displace flap 5? to the position shown in Figure 6 permitting filler to flow with the roller I3 which carries it to the surface of the passing dough units.

It is imperative that the filler being fed from the dispenser container 5| be applied by the roller I3 to the passing dough unit and not to the conveyer belt. It is this requirement that makes necessary the use of a plurality of dough-contacting fingers and rollers spaced longitudinally of the '6 belt. It should be noted that the leading edge of the-dough unit must take the sam time to leave the trailing roller II! and travel to its point of contact with the applicator roller I3 as that required for the leading point on the roller on which filler is deposited to travel from flap 5'! to the point at which it is to meet the dough unit. If conveyer belt I i 9 travels at the same linear speed as the surface of roller it then it is necessary only that the distance between trailing roller II? and the point of filler application, that is, the point directly under roller I3, equal the circ'umferential distance around the surface of roller I3 between flap 51 and the point of application. This relationship is obtained precisely by varying the forward position of trailing roller II! with respect to roller I3, the adjustment being obtained by loosening set screw H4 in finger-supporting bracket H3 and adjusting the length of finger IIU spacing the roller II! from the shaft.

Referring now to Figure 3, it is seen that solenoid 88 is energized only when both switches BI and 92 are closed, a condition which exists only when both leading and trailing rollers I I I are lifted by the dough unit. The passage of a dough unit under the rearward roller I If alone does not energize the solenoid and instead the leading edge of the dough unit must pass under and pivot the fingers 0- connected to both shafts IE2 and EN. The solenoid is de-energized, however, when the trailing edge of the dough unit has passed from under the leading roller lid. The use of two sets of rollers and fingers as described is particularly desirable in the manufacture of jelly rolls and the like in which it is desirable not to cover the last inch of the dough surface with filler, as the dough after being filled is wrapped on itself. To effect this result leading finger H8 is spaced from the trailing finger I It a distance such that the switch controlled by the leading roller is opened to effect the de-energization of the solenoid 8B and the movement to closed position of the gate or flap til at such time that the last inch of the dough unit passing under the roller receives no filler. If the trailing roller is spaced from the lowermost point of the roller a distance equal to the circumferential distance separating that lowermost point from the flap 51, then the distance separating the leading roller from the lowermost point of the roller would be greater than the distance separating the traveling roller by a distance equal to the length of the dough unit to be uncoated, for example, one inch.

A dough-stripping wire I2I extends between eye-bolt supports I22 and I23 in sliding scraping contact with the central portion of the roller, as shown in Figures 5, '7, and 8. The wire I2! is positioned in non-parallel relationship to the axis of the roller, the support I23 being higher than support I22, and is contacted by the surface of the roller after the latter has contacted the dough on the conveyer belt serving to scrap dough pieces from the roller or even the entire dough unit should it adhere to the roller and tend to follow it rather than the belt.

In the operation of a filler machine constructed in accordance with the present invention the machine is positioned over the parallel frames 22 and 23 of a bakery apparatus of the character heretofore described. Pins 24 are inserted in their seats in frame members 22 and 23 and knob 39 is adjusted to elevate the apparatus above conveyer belt II!) to provide the optimum spacing between applicator I3 and the belt. That spacing depends upon the thickness of the dough units to 'which filler is to be applied. The position of actuator fingers H9 is then adjusted for the desired length of uncoated trailing surface, the distance between their rollers I I7 corresponding to the length of unfilled surface on the dough units. Current conductors l2! are connected to a conventional power source and the driving unit of the bakery apparatus is started, the roller applicator I3 is rotated. Identical separate units of dough are deposited from a hopper, or other source, onto the traveling belt H9 at regular intervals. As each dough unit goes under the filling machine and successively displaces leading and trailing rollers H1, fingers iii) are pivoted, displacing switch contact lever I04 and I99- from their points of contact with the detents [93 of microswitches 9i and 92. The normally opened microswitches close, connecting solenoid 88 with power line 93, 94, and energize the solenoid. Core 99 of the solenoid is displaced, pivoting the connected lever 8| counterclockwise and causing fingers T4 to displace resilient gate flap 57 from it closing position. This permits the revolving applicator Hi to take filler from dispenser l2 and apply it to the surface of the dough unit I24 passing thereunder, as shown in Figure 5. Scraping wire |2| functions to prevent the dough unit from sticking to the filler-covered surface of roller i3 by wrapping itself thereon. Filler is applied uniformly to the surface of the dough unit until its trailing edge has passed from under the leading roller I I! causing finger NO to pivot clockwise to open microswitch 92. The opening of microswitch 92 breaks the electrical circuit and ole-energizes solenoid 88, allowing lever 8! to pivot clockwise under the urging of spring 87. This clockwise movement of the lever and its shaft pivots the fingers 14 from their position of contact with flap 51, which resiliently returns to its contacting position with applicator l3 closing aperture 52 in filler dispenser I2 and preventing further fiow of filler to the applicator.

The last trailing portion of the dough surface reaches the applicator when the latter is free of filler and is therefore not covered. The process is repeated on following units of dough carried on conveyer belt H9.

While the particular apparatus herein shown and described in detail is fully capable of attaining the objects and providing the advantages hereinbefore stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as defined in the appended claim.

I claim:

In a machine for applying filler to dough, the combination of a filler dispensing unit and a control unit therefor, said filler dispensing unit com- .8 prising a container formed with an aperture on its underside, a revolving cylinder positioned in said aperture and spaced from opposite edges thereof which are leading and trailing with respect to said cylinder, a trailing flexible flap affixed to the trailing edge of said container aperture, said trailing flexible flap normally sliding on said revolving cylinder to scrape the surface thereof free of filler as the cylinder surface travels out of said container, thus retaining said filler in said container, a leading flexible flap affixed to the leading edge of said container aperture, and sliding on said cylinder to form' a seal between said container and said revolving cylinder to prevent filler escaping from said container, said'revolving cylinder being positioned to contact the surface of batches of dough moving relative-thereto, said control unit including a pair of spaced triggers arranged as to be actuated sequentially by the forward and trailing edges of a batch of dough moving relative thereto in the direction of said roller and prior to its contact therewith, said control unit also including a pair of microswitches each of which is connected to one of said triggers and actuated thereby, a solenoid connected in series by said microswitches to an electric power source and including a displaceable core, a tie rod aiiixed to said core and adapted to be moved thereby, a, pivoted arm attached to said tie rod and adapted to be pivoted thereby, a pivotal shaft supporting said tie rod, fingers mounted on said pivotal shaft and contacting said trailing flexible flap of said dispensing unit, said triggers being adapted to be displaced sequentially by a moving dough unit to close said microswitches to direct current from said power source to said solenoid to displace said solenoid core to effect the displacement of said trailing flexible fiap from its contact with said cylinder, whereupon filler may be transported from said container under said open flap by said revolving cylinder to said moving dough at its point of contact with the cylinder.

ROBERT M. LEHMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,680,584 Angell Aug. 14, 1928 1,711,716 Bausman May 7, 1929 1,986,047 Dawley et al Jan. 1, 1935 2,072,948 Geffs Mar. 9, 1937 2,182,068 Clark Dec. 5, 1939 2,188,485 Quick Jan. 30, 1940 2,463,570 Speicher Mar. 8, 1949 2,472,659 C'urlee June 7, 1949 2,585,330 Kayser Feb. 12, 1952 

